Equity Calculator
Compute absolute return, profit/loss and CAGR for stock investments.
What this calculator does
Let's talk about your stock returns honestly. The Zerodha app or your broker's dashboard shows a big green number and calls it a day. But there are two different 'returns' hiding in there: absolute return (how much you made, in rupees) and CAGR (the annualised percentage that fairly compares a 2-year holding to a 7-year one).
Say you bought TCS in 2019 for ₹1 lakh and it's ₹1.6 lakh today. That's a 60% absolute return. Impressive — until you realise that's spread over ~5 years, which is a CAGR of just under 10%. That's a Nifty-like return. You didn't beat the market; you matched it.
This calculator gives you both numbers. Use it after every stock exit (not while you hold — that just makes you anxious). Over 3-5 years, if your stock CAGR isn't consistently beating the Nifty 50's ~12% long-term average, honest answer: you're paying yourself in stress for market-like returns. Index funds do the same job for 0.1% expense ratio.
CAGR = (End / Start)^(1/years) − 1How to read your projection like an adult
Every investment calculator has one built-in lie: the return rate is an assumption, not a promise. If you use 12% for Indian equity mutual funds, that's a rough long-term average — not what your specific SIP will do next year. Markets are lumpy. The projection is a compass, not a GPS.
Run three scenarios: pessimistic (say 8%), realistic (10-11%), and optimistic (13%). If the pessimistic case still gets you close to your goal, you have a robust plan. If only the optimistic case works, you're one bad market cycle away from disappointment — increase your contribution, extend your timeline, or lower the goal.
Also, watch inflation. ₹1 crore in 2046 will buy roughly what ₹30 lakh buys today (at ~6% inflation). The number that looks huge on a projection is smaller in real purchasing power.
Don't stop contributing when the market falls. That's mathematically the worst time to stop. The whole point of a SIP is that you buy more units when prices are low.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good CAGR for direct stocks?+
To justify the effort, aim for Nifty + 3-4% (~15-16% CAGR). Below that, index funds are the smarter bet.
How's Indian equity taxed?+
LTCG (held 1+ year) above ₹1L: 10%. STCG (held under 1 year): 15%.
Reminder: this calculator is a learning tool, not personalised advice. For decisions involving your actual money, talk to a SEBI-registered adviser about your specific situation.